Spice Up Your Life With a Taste of Japan

2/28/2015

March 3rd is Hinamatsuri in Japan! Also known as girl's day or doll's day.
People display dolls that depict people in the imperial court.
At today's bento class, I taught how to make Emperor and Empress dolls in kimono.
Read this article to learn more about this festival↓↓
http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/calendar/march/hinamatsuri.html

I also posted the steps to make this bento on Japan Up! Magazine March'15 issue.
Please pick up the magazine if you live in LA or OC!!!

2/26/2015

Alice in wonderland theme bento! Will teach how to make this bento in my upcoming class.

Rice is a good source of energy and the base for Japanese style bento.
Especially rice balls with delicious fillings are loved by everyone!
The best rice to use for rice balls is Short grain rice ,aka sushi rice. It holds shapes well.
To make tasty rice balls, flavor rice by adding some salt to cooked rice.
For fillings, you can put anything that goes well with rice.

Rice Cooker

1. Measure rice by using the measuring cup that came with your rice cooker. Rinse rice gently and pour water. Repeat until water becomes less white. *For brown rice, wash like rubbing each grain. About 2 times.

2. Drain water and fill clean water to the water measure line. (for 1 cup of rice, fill to the line 1)
Close lid and soak rice for about 30 mins to 1 hour. *For brown rice, soak for at least 5 hours. If in summer, place it in a fridge.

3. Press the start button and cook rice. When cooked, keep the lid closed and let it sit for about 15mins to steam.

*********************Another Way To Measure WaterWeight rice before soaking water. (Let's say it's 300g) Wash and soak rice with a plenty of water. (No need to measure the soaking water) After soaking, drain the water and add the same weight of fresh water as the original rice. For this example, add 300 g water.

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3. Place a lid and boil over medium-heat. You can slightly open the lid to check if it's boiling, but try not to open the lid as less as possible. Turn down to low-heat and cook for about 10mins for white rice, 30mins for brown rice.

4. Turn off the heat and keep the lids on for about 15 mins to steam.
*if rice is too hard or too soft, adjust the water amount next time.

2/23/2015

Japanese bakeries are the best! I think...
One of the bread that I can't find at local grocery stores is this butter rolls.
It's nice and very soft.
I made potato salad and stuffed in the rolls. Potato salad sandwiches are popular in Japan!
I boiled quail eggs and created cute drivers for the car bread rolls.
I will teach this bento in my next class at Tokyo Central in Costa Mesa on 3/15!
It's free, but you need to sign up at the store.
Please visit the store for more details!!!!

2/13/2015

Happy Valentine's Day!!!
My husband is not a big fun of sweets, so made beef soboro and packed in a bento box with rice.
I got this bento box at Daiso and it was only $1.50! I love Daiso!!!
Hope he likes it<3